Motion-picture machine.



F. SEYMOUR.

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION m2o Nov.4. 191eA Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

7, SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. SEYMOUR. MOTlO'N PICTUHE'MACHINE. APPLICATION man Nov. 4. 191s.

Patent-ed Sept. 23, 1919. i 7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. SEYMOUR. MOTION PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOW-1.1918.

1,317,042. n Pamedsept. 23, 1919.

TSHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESS.' /NVE/v 70H, Home is, emo u 1,

' ATTORNEY.

F. SEYMOUR.

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4.1918.

Patented Sept. 23, 1919.

7 SHEETS- SHEET 4.

franck Se Y-m our,

ATTORNEY \\\mmm A TTORNEY F. SEYMOUR.

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 1918 1,317,042.

-rmz COLUMBIA PLANoanAml C0.. WASHINGTUN, n. c.

Y! m lig: 1 .m n. d fil .v mm 0^ 3:15: www E S m E. w A... ,L v m m.' l *fr it.. M 2 M W w Y Y m Ork: R u v I m 5 Z n n ,lul I m E. l \ll M 1.... u 4M m o .M u n m u 5 e h f m m l F. SEYMOUR.

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE.v

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 4.1913.

1,317,042. Patented sept. 23, 1919.

. l 1 SHEETS-SHEET v6.

-17 15 n :il:

WITNESS.y [NL/EMM' Fremde emour,

F. SEYMOUR.

MoJJoN PICTURE MACHINE.

l A TTU/WEL l OFFICE. g

f rnANoIssEYi/roumor PATERsoN, NEWJEBS'EY.

1,317,042. y e y y l hp'p'licaton iiled"*November` 4, 1918.l Serial No; 1.260,993. y

jvanced'step bystepuand the Ashutter rotates e continuously, the two being so synchronizedy that the shutter covers the film each'. time e yand, so long'as it is in 'motion but (asby T0 all whomez'ltvmay concern:

Be it known ythat 1,: F "Noris VSunnis/LOUE, a` citizen! of thevUnited States, Yresiding at Paterson, in the .county of yPassaic and State of yNew', Jersey', have inventedcertain new "and useful. Improvements in Motion-Fic- .ture Machines, 'of which the yi'ollowing r 1s a specification.. e e t ,n In ordinary moving picturelma'chinesfwhether lcamera or' proj ector-the ilm 1s adan'opening in the shutter) uncovers it while itl isata standstill. Inview ofthe necessityv to rapidly advance the 4lmstep vstep in i order'to establishwsocalled kfpersistence of f g vision and hence' theI4 illusion y ofL moving pictures, `it is vrequisite, thati the shutter should vtravel at a very high ratepof speed, "and this leads to the generation of static electricit or,static which is reco izedfas objectionable 'incidents to the yuse of such'a y 1 shutter. Another ob'jectlis toimake it pos- "avery serious objection, particularly inthe camera, rwhere the light'incident to static must be kept `frimrthe sensitized film. One

'object of this invention therefore to eliminate the continuously, and hence,"ofneces-v sity, high-speed-moving shutter, together with the development of static and other 'sible for more than yone' Afilml atla timeto be *l operated in a single machine." Theseftwo objects I attain by employing a step-by-,step moving shutter, with novel means r to advance it intermittently proper synchrony with the Eilm Vor films.

Another object of ythe invention `l is)v to "provide novel means for producing so-called dissolving pictures, especially inf connecy tion withfiny step-bystep moving shutter.

u', ,'[Another obj ect is to provide a novel means foradvancinglthe film orfilms stepbystep,

and novell means yfor i eiecting :the talzefup yStill another jobJectfisfto*provide aiinov- 'ingpicture machinewithnovel means ail'ecting itsmountingy whereby uit; 'mavfbe variously adjusted and further usedin taking 0F DTOJ'GCtng panoramic pictures. -V

out.` y e' In the accompanying drawings, "Figuresl and2 are side andcfron elevadeveloped yin al plane;

k*what appears inFig. 11:

Other objects will be hereinafterl pointed i speeineefin ouettersratent. ,Patented Sept, 23; 1919.

` ',tions,` respelctively,.v of theimproved V`ma-k y chine;

solving shutter.'

(Fig.V k6, is a vertical sectionalview taken iny a plane between ythe rightside wall of the case andthe camsand pin-wheels; y

partlybrokenaway to show thel shutter, in turn partly broken away to. reveal the dis-` 'Fig, l7 is arverticalsectional view taken in a( plane between Lthe cams and pin-wheels FigySfis vhorizontal lsegrztional view approximately inthe plane ofthe main operat- 111s' Shaft:

` Fig, `9 is an'lelveivationof'onev of the" cams l "and its .pin-wheel;

Fig. 10 v shows the face ofone of the cams e livgill is a front elevation-Tof the and case-apertures in a pluri-film machine;

Fig. -12 isa horizontal sectional-,view of Fig; 12a Shows heiens hlder 1 f ff Fig.is ahseotional` detail illustrating 'the main anddissolving shutter'and a part ofthe latters operating means; and y l vvskeleton*frame e. VForward of this frame .there is a vertical partitionf parallel with Figs. 14 and 15 are front 'elevations showthe front wallofthecase and ydividing the n same into a'majforandfa minor compartmentlg and IL. L i f1 l The machine whichfis shown inFigs. l lto 13 is a two-film machine-it will be obvious that'it might have onlyone film.l The ilmstravel verticallyopposite the frontrof themachineand yat; one side thereof, as ad jacentthe wall d; thatkfis vthey are laterally OfSeWf/hlespectto the axisof the shutter,

v'vhichis a'disk rotating in afvertcalplane andmhaving its axis substantially ycentered between the side wallscand d of the case.

f With their axes horizontal y,and parallel with thefront of the caseV there are jour-y ioV naledin-thie fraine e 'shafts onenn'ear the top and the other near the bottom ofthe case.v Fixed on thesetshaftslarej. the'ilrnt feed-wheels kl. e n e feed-wheels are arranged theiilm rollers Respectively back of the ma which are journaled in identical sup'- porting means so! thatV description` of -onei of these will serve for the other. A bracket in whichthetilmroller' is4 directlyjournaled on' a horizontal axis'Aisslidablev back and forwardin a suitable; guideway vpfin Y thev top (orbottorn) wall of the casing., be-

ing normally Aimpelledj toward the* feedwheel by a'spiral spring g." Each film-roller m carries a lilln s and forms; a delivery ''roller 1; each iilniroller'n constitutesf a takeup'roller for 4the lrn. The lrns, sr extend' j 'from the "delivery rollers m fover theffeedrollers cvand then lunder the feed-rollers Z Vto .theI stake-up" rollers l?referablyl the,v "ends of the y,films are in somewayY secured tothe rollers anda.; Between the feed- 'wheels` Je' and Z the is held taut and v"paralleliy and close tothe partition f. To

forni vtheV exposure' apertures in the 4parti- ,toefrrovide (Fisslland 12)-ap1at'@ t v' 'iliavingl apertures uV 'and rearwardly project- 7 yingflangesvflanlringeach kof its apertures, Vfthe partition vbeing apertured to correspond and said platefbeing secured against the front face thereof with .flanges protrudthrough' the apertures in the partition tures.

elo

and forming Vlateral guides forthe iilins l (fseeFigySl. -Inviewofwhatwillappear the feed-wheels ik' Z are lrotatively 'advanced at identicalperipheral speeds andA that in; arranging thelms in the 'machine at they hereinafter, fronifwhich lit'v'vill be seen that outsetftheyf arerequi-red to extend around the feedwheels andfiilm-rollers Vafin a taut state,` `and while Y 'being unwound Vvfrom the film-rollersm 'and' wound up yonlthe take-up v `vrollers n kept i'nthat state,` it'will be ob- 'vious that'lny invention avoids one serious 'disadvantage' inY ordinary moving picture c machineato witrthel waste oflfilmincident to theV apertures?l usually c therein for the relagainst the peripheries of the feed-wheels.

jThe 'disk w `formingi the plate or shutter y(II'y shall hereinafter referto the rnain'sliut- .ablenuinb'er of' equi-distant radial' lines' two apertures 00,' Vthe vsame being', positioned soy that as'they yshutter is rotated stepgby stepa of Vfsuch apertures lwill peach; A time vbe brougl'it-intd registry y' with the light' apex-e tures Theshutterl is arranged Lin thel compartment g rclose to they frontV face of the/plate tland` is secured on a horizontal n shaft y arranged substantially centrally" Ybetween thetwo sides` of the casing and journaled in brackets@2 attached to the n frame e. (aFigS). It carries aybeveledl ypinion 3 whic'lrnieshes with a beveled pinion lE on ra'horizontal shaft y5 journaled in the Afrance e anda bracket 6 in the sarnefverti` Y verticalshaft (thefmain shaft) fcal planefasand midway between the shafts t VIO'uITl'laled infthe fraine e back ofthe shafts fz', j andl 5. Throughbevel gearing 8'. this shaft is driven from-fahorizontal shaft 9 c carrying a' crankk l0 and journaled in a C bracketlO attached to the frame'e.

Theishutter, it will be 'seen,'has notonly one exposure aperture in a, circular pathy y aroundits aX1 s[(as 1s usuallythecase) but a number of, them; infact; in the construction being describedy there are a number of these apertures to each of two such circular paths. y

Hence'V according to the theory k*of my Inachine, the shutter rotates 'intermittently' or :stepfby-stepg, Inorder,k therefore7 to synchronize the step-by-step inovementrofthe shutter with the step-bystep advances' of the ilin so that the shutter willthroughV the exposure apertures exposey 'the' filins when the latterareatfa standstill and Yobscure the f saine 'when theyare i`n` Inotion,l1 e'nu'plovk the following transmission means between the drive shaft'j? and the shafts@ 5 j ."Fixed "on the yshafts 515, j are the pinf'wheels'll in the present instance all alike in respect to e the 'diameter and' lthe number of'4 peripheral pins v12 thereon(v Fixed on the Shaft 7" are three camsfl 14 andv 15 respectively cop` Aerating with the pin-wheelsion the shafts i, 5 and j.. Each cam is divided into equal dicated in Fig. 10, lwhich shows the periphery` of one of the cains 13 or 15v de-Y veloped in a plane. L That is, each portion includes a pair of parallelspacedfribs 16 `extending longitudinally ref the `vperiphery peripheral and similar-'cam portions as nof thecam, such pairs 'being separated by A' abreak 17 'exceptingas to an oblique rib 18 rwhich connects one end i of the 'ri`ght hand rib Ofone -pair with the adjoiningen'd of the! left-hand yrib l in the vnext succeeding f pair. f The 'effect' is to kform the periphery'of i theV caniy with a succession of calnways 19,

which attheir ends are divertedk respectively c 4 right and left butfbetween their ends extend longitudinally: of the periphery offthe cani,

sothat assurningjone of the pin wheels to be c engaged "withsuch, a camas shown yin Figs.

@6 @r9 and the cain to be rotated continuouslfv the pin-wheel"willJ be alternately rotated and .held at dwell. It,.,isdesirable that as tothe fshutters inovefments 'it should have a sl-ight lead and follow vsrritlirespecty tothe filinssol `1f30 v astoinsure asperfeot cover as possibler while the Iilnris moving. gf'Henee, .while the cam 14Y for thefshutter-has in the present.

v case the samediameter as'the'cams 13 and --both.being 'at dwelljat the same time ,and in rotation at the same time, though,- as",V explained, the 'y shutter has a Yslight y'lead and follow for each of itsmovements with respect lto the films.

the shaft? is designed to rotate atsay 240 f' y15 2, 3, etc.',) *areY indicatedby ktransverse lines` on the films in Fig. 11-see also Figs. 14, and

l15,'Isprefer to de'creass.=ithe length" 'offits ribs 16'l f and .correspondingly increase the Vlength fof itszoblique yribs 18 which ofcourse involves also less de `ee of obliqueness of r In the presentgcase there are four cam portions to each cam, andy kthe carnsare so arranged kthat as toevery one Eof four radial planes 90 apartv such f plane would be coincident withapoint ex'- I actly `midway of rthe tlength of the two'fribs -16 of each-of the three cams 13, 14 andr15'; wherefore it will be seen that when theshaft the latter (isee'Fig. 6

7 is in rotation the films andshutterwilllrespectively advance and rotate step by; step,

reyolutions per minute; this will'give 20 yrevolutionsbper minute of the pin-wheels and 40 revolutions'i'per minute of thefshutter,

the gearingv 4-3 ybeing in the ratio of 2 'to 1. The picture areasL or surfaces ('whichIr find yit convenient to -numberconsecutively 15. As the films are moved step by step to 'i effect placements` of. these picture surfaces successively in registry with the light apertures u movements of the shutter `(eachv vstarting alittle before 'and ending a `little yafter leach' corresponding v movement of lthe films) occur'to leffect placements of its 'exf posure'apertures in registry with thelight aperture, these movements and intervening placements or dwells 'being caused bythe dwell-motion mechanism characterized: by the setof cams and pin-wheels described.-- f

Figs. 14 kand'15 showthe `shutterfw having a multiplicity (four) of rvexposure Aapertures in each radial line and a cor- "responding number of `films. The great advantage obtained by employment of two or moreexposur'e apertures in each radial line A' of the film, with two or morel ',films, especially where the machine operatesas a' camera, will be appreciated by those skilledfin this cart.` This advantage isimpossiblefoffat- 'tainment in ordinarymovlng picture-fina-v chines where ,the exposure aperturein-V the 'shutter must of `necessity (since the shutter lrotates continuously) 'be many timesfas large as the surface of film actually subject to exposure, instead of approximately the same size, according tomy invention. I j

The llenses 20-are mounted in a `holder21 secured to the rfront wall of the'case opposite the apertures u. c

For obtaining so-called kfade-away-1or InV the present case,rv

tively'adaptedto mesh with the pinions 525' and 26are the pinions 27 and' 28 rotative together andajournaled finan'arm 29 fu`l-y crumed in the bracketf24 and havingattached ithereto an operating rod 30which protrudes atvone side Lof thecase within convenient reach of ythe operator. Y The gearing 25, 29,

30, 26v is of'such ratio thatthere results a slight difference in speed, when the train is established,` between and'26,vin consequence ofwhich the dissolvingshuttergrad# ually assumes obstructing relation to theaexfpo'sure apertures ofthe vmainp'shutter. `For rdissolvi`ng'-thel operator pulls out the 4rod 30 to `establish :the train of gearing,Y leaving the .parts in that position for that` predetermined number of exposures `which corre- `spondsato full obscuration of the apertures of shutterfw' byV shutter 22, whereupon he pushes the rod in, 'breaking the gearing .traingwthereupom under Lthe tension of` a `spring31f connecting, a pin 32 on one shutter with a pin y33-on the otherf(movable in a slot` 34 in theformer, see Figs. 5 and 13) the c dissolving shutter springs to'normal posi-k tion-with its apertures registeringy with those lof the mainlshutter. Y 'f i :It is"v frequently desired toobtain so-'called vignette pictures. To this end my machine i includes a vignetting `disk35 disposed'con# centrically'with and close to andvforward of the main shutter and `having arbitrarily shaped y/holes 36 corresponding in number and dispositionto the exposure `apertures of the main shutter. This disk has `a forwardly projecting cup-shaped hub-37 which isfsuitably secured to the inner end of a short ,shaft V38 journaled in front lwall b of the case in' alinement with the axis of the main shutter, the forward end `of which ha'ssecured` thereto a ydial 39 revolubleiwith reference to thelixed pointer 40 Lonthe case andprovided ywith figures 41y radiallyY cor,-

yrespond'ing with and respectively of the same shape, as-f the vignetting holes 36 of disks-35. HBy turning the dial the operator can set the vignetting disk sothat a vignetting hole ofthe same shape as the figure 41k which ismade to registerwithtthe pointer n opposes' each exposure aperture u. j

Inl Figs. land 2 is shown a carriage'42in which y. are journaled the long trunnionsv 43 of/ a yoke 43 inwhich issecured a depending sleevef'or' guide 44. On one of the trunnionsofthe yoke isa worm' wheel 45 4and meshing-ltherewith, journaledl in the carthe base v of case a.

Ariage, is a Worm 46 provided vvithsuitable --handles for turning it. A Inthe' guiden44 is arranged a rack 47 vvithwhichy aj pinion 4S on the; guideffmeshesy the same `being equipped vvith suitable 'handles' for turning `it and;.so elevating or depressing theffrack. The upper end ofthe rack hasXed-thereto alarge gear Wheel orcircularl rack 49 and in `its top. is svviveled a spider^`50 securedto that by turning Worm 46 andfpinion 48 the inclination. and the elevation" ofthe machine Qmay be changedatxwill.

3. or taking'panoramafpictures a! reversing 515 and` disconnective connection between shaft y9 and the circular rack 49-ispr0vided,thus:

vertical shaft 51is journaled in the .brackets 52, 53'secured to thesame side of -the case from Whichthecrank projects, and itfcarries atits lower endl ay pinion 54 and yat' its upper end,greleasably secured. thereon by the setscrew 55, thevvorm- Wheel y.56 which meshesvvith avvorm-57 on the shaft 9. f Pinion 54 forms part ofajreve'rsing trainy including, aY pinion 5 8, journaled in-brack'et 53 and' permanently in meshwith the cir- '.cular rack, and a pinion59 permanentlyin vmesh withk pinionl 54-V butjournaled a handle 60y (pivotedconcentricallyvvithpinion 54) so as tomesheither with the circular `rack or pinion 58. Ordinarilyfthesetfscrevv isfreleased so thatthe Worm-Wheel 56k turns l idly" thereon; but' When-'panorama ypictures are to be takentheset-screW-is turned up againstthe shaft in consequence ofy which rotation of shaft 9 not only operatestheinterior mechanism of the machine but causes it to turnl on` its, sv'vivel in therack 47 ,the operator from time to time elfectingreversal yof its Y turning movement,` by .shifting Withy his freehand the handle l60. L

Havingv thus fully described my invention, WhatV I claimasnevvand desire to secure by Letters Patent is :ff

y1. A moving picture machine including, in

combination with a case having, a light aperture, aseries of picturesurfaces to be ysuccessively placed oppositesaid aperture,

meansto effect such placements, .and Ya shutter to intercept the' light passing VYthrough suchl aperture betweenv placementsf dwellmotion means' to actuatelthe shutter,includ ing rotary driving and drivenmembers,one being a cam and the other-'havingI an'annular series of pins successively engageablevvi'th the cam. i

^ 2. A moving picture machine incl'uding,in

y combination ywith a case having aqlight aperture, a series ofpicture-surfacesto be successively placed lopposite saidI aperture, means to effect such placements, and aishutterto interceptthe light passingjthrough such aperture betvveen placements, `meansto actuate theshutter including a' driven rotary pin-Wheel and..l a driving rotary lcarni ,iourf It Willgbe understoodv f naled Within the: case, saidzlcam lhaving alaterna'tlng carniV portions' extending@ respectively'atight angles andoblique to the;` aXis Off-.the cam and'engagedaby-thepin-Wheel; 1 3,, A moving!pictureamachine: including,

in: combination; With 4a casehavingi a light yapertura.: a series off lpicture lsurfacesi-to be fsuccessivelyplacedxopposite said aperture, and n means lto: intercept the; light 1 .passing through said kaperture between such placements, dvvellvmotionmeans :to Vactuateaboth saidseries of picture' `surfaces andthelightf. mterc'eptin means comprising'.setsofrotary driving an driven members; onelm'ember in each set-'bein'gaa cama'nd the other-v apin- A :wheel having: an; annular series' of pins' successiively engageable by. said cam;

said yshutt'er'and series", a shaft journaled 'Within thewfcase, and camsfon-lthe Shaft f envgagedvby-thepin-Wheels;A

5; A: moving picture machine including,

k'in combinationavvith casehavingla light aperture, a Seriesof picture'surf'aces to be successively placed: opposite said aperture, and a shutter to intercept the `lightpassing throughsaid aperturebetvveen such pla-ce- -ments, means to'actuate both the shutter and lsaid seriesof. picture surfaces including drlven rotar pin-vvheelsz journaledY Within thef'cas'e an respectively appertaining to said shutter and series a shaft journaled v Within the case, a`nd cams on thexshaftengaged by the pin-Wheelsysaid camsapproxiymately conformingl to voneanother ,in shape and disposition. f. f v

6. A moving picture machineincluding a case havingan aperturefor ya light beam, an

nioo

-intermittently movableseries of picture sur- 1 faces to be lsuccessively placed opposite said yaperture,-an intermittently movable shutter pla-te movable in a plane through the'. light beam and hav-ing means to allovv the light *beam* to Ypass therethrough on Y eacht dwell `thereof-and means to cause alternatemove- 'Amentsltog'ether 'and dwells togetherof said `series* and the; shutter. f f

`7: A movingpicture machine including'a casehaving'an aperture-for .a light beam, an intermittently movable series, o'f picture surfaces to be successively placed opposite said aperture, an intermittently movable shutter plate molvable in aplane through the light beam andhaving means to allovvthelight beam to passtherethrough on each vdwell 'thereon-and; means-tamme alternate lmavef 1o v ments, two dwell-motion means-respectively t aperture, a series of rpicture surfaces to be successivelyplaced opposite said aperture,- and-means to intercept the light passing ments together and dwells together; of saidv series and the shuttereach movement of the shutter beginning-before and ending afterl the corresponding movementof kksaid series.

'8, Af moving picture machine. including, in combination With acase havingk alight through said aperture between such kplacef adapted toactuate said series of pictures and V fthe lightl-intercepting means,the latter* havingdwellsof shorter duration 'than the former and gearing connecting vand synchroniz- 'V ing said di'vell-motion'` means.

-9. A moving picture machine including a case having apertures `for a plurality: of

i light beams, a pluralityof seriesof picture said apertureameans to e ect suchplace- ,surfaces to be successivelyl laced OPPOSit@l ments of surfaces of they respective series,

` shutter. commento said apertures and hav-f4 ing means to allowsaid light beams to pass simultaneously therethrough, and means to `actuat'e the shutter in synchronism withsaid rkp'means.Vv i n 10. A moving picture machine including a j case having apertures for a plurality of light `-beams, aplurality Aof series ofu picture surfaces tobe successively placed opposite said apertures, means to effect such placements ofv surfaces of thekrespective series, a'diskt i (ilopiescffthis natent'lnaybe o'ntaivlied;.for`

, likerotary shutteracommonto'said apertures 35 n tures registrable With said light apertures, u

and having in concentric lines exposure aper-V ve cents exposure apertures in different lines radially coincidingvvith each other, and means to actuate the shutter in synchronism with said means. f

in combination with a case having a light.'

and means `to interceptthe light passing throughfsaid aperturegbetween such placements, including a main shutter havin an f aperture, a series of picture surfaces to be successively placed oppositesaid aperture, f.

exposure aperture registrable with'the ight aperture, a dissolving shutter coupled to move with but also movable relatively to the fmain'shutter and havingan opening registrable with the aperture'of the `main shutteiy, t ayielding connection between said shutters,

means to drive the main shutter and means, vrdisconnectivelyconnected with ysaid driving means, -to move the dissolving shutterv atv a plane intercepting vthe 'light throughA saidj i i c aperture and having ya concentric Qse'ries ofV differently shaped vignette openings toy reg`- 'ister with thesame`,jsaidv disk having'anexof symbols ycorresponding in shape and radialpdisposition .to the-vignette openings andfreadable with reference" to a dente y whereofl aiix mysignature.`

- j.FRANCIS sEYMoUniKL pointon said case. f

In i estimonyv 4 'each,vrby addressing the "(fominissioi1erJ of Patents, Washington, D. C. Y v

posed dial'provided'with a concentric series l* .l

c `4:0 i 11. A moving picture machine including, c 

